Australian moth navigates using stars to travel long distances

An Australian moth demonstrates remarkable navigation skills by utilizing the stars as a compass during its annual migration, a recent study reveals. These nocturnal Bogong moths embark on a journey of approximately 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) to seek refuge in cooling caves situated near the Australian Alps when temperatures rise. Upon respite, they make their way back home to engage in breeding activities before meeting their inevitable fate.

While birds commonly rely on starlight for orientation, the Bogong moths represent the first documented instance of invertebrates covering extensive distances by following the stars. As scientists grappled with unraveling the mystery behind the moths’ navigation to unknown and distant locations, previous research had raised the possibility of Earth’s magnetic field aiding in their journey, coupled with some form of visual reference to guide them.

Endowed with the recurrent patterns of the night sky, scientists speculated that stars might serve as guiding posts for the moths. Through a flight simulator reproducing the night sky and negating the influence of Earth’s magnetic field, researchers observed the moths’ flight patterns. The moths responded accurately when the stars were in their usual positions while being disoriented with random star placements. Moreover, specific orientations of the night sky triggered activity in the moths’ brain cells, indicating a link between their navigational abilities and the constellations.

Published in Nature journal, the study illustrated how these tiny creatures effectively use the night sky as a reference point for their migrations. Kenneth Lohmann, an animal navigation expert at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, commended the study for the “very clean, impressive demonstration” of the moths’ reliance on the night sky for direction. Although the exact celestial features that the moths utilize remain unknown, potential references could range from the Milky Way’s luminous streaks to colorful nebulae, forming critical components alongside the Earth’s magnetic field in guiding their journey.

Beyond the Bogong moths, other species, such as birds and dung beetles, are known to navigate using celestial cues. Despite possessing minuscule brains, smaller than the size of a grain of rice, the Bogong moths exhibit a remarkable ability to align their travels with the night sky. David Dreyer, a researcher from Lund University in Sweden and the study’s author, underscored the awe-inspiring feat accomplished by these insects through their reliance on celestial guidance.

In essence, the Bogong moths’ dependence on the stars for navigation showcases the intricacies of the natural world’s design, where even the tiniest creatures harness cosmic elements for their survival and migratory needs.